Honoring the St. Mary School Parochial Invitational Basketball Tournament on Their 30th Anniversary

HONORING THE ST. MARY SCHOOL PAROCHIAL INVITATIONAL BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT ON THEIR 30TH ANNIVERSARY -- (Extensions of Remarks - September 08, 2004)

Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to join the community in celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the St. Mary Parochial Invitational Basketball Tournament. This is a remarkable milestone and I am proud to extend my sincerest congratulations to all of those involved in making this annual event such a great success.

What first began as a two-day event with eight competing teams has grown into the longest running and largest parochial school basketball tournament in Connecticut. In this, its thirtieth year, sixty teams from across the state will participate in a two-week long tournament that will also include a cheerleading exhibition. Over seven hundred boys and girls in grades three through eight will participate-making this year's tournament a real landmark event.

Each of the teams which will compete in the St. Mary Invitational have already accomplished so much. Through their hard work and efforts they have already learned one of life's most important lessons-the value of team work. Basketball, like all sports, teaches us the value of sportsmanship, camaraderie, practice, and commitment to excellence. These are skills which will serve these young people well as they begin to make a difference in the world. I am proud to extend my sincere congratulations and very best wishes to them all as they begin the tournament.

I would be remiss if I did not extend a special note of thanks to the many volunteers who so generously donate their time and energy to making this event possible. Coaches, parents, faculty, administrators, and friends all play important roles in bringing the St. Mary Invitational to life. Without your dedication, commitment, and energies, we would not be able to share this very special event with our young people. The fact that many of the adults who today volunteer their time to the tournament were once players themselves is testament to the legacy of this special event.

In its thirty-year history, the St. Mary Invitational has touched the lives of over fifteen thousand young people across Connecticut. It is with my deepest thanks and sincerest appreciation that I rise today to join the many well-wishers in extending my heart-felt congratulations to the St. Mary School Parochial Invitational Basketball Tournament on their 30th Anniversary. You have made such a difference in the lives of so many and I know that you will continue to leave an indelible mark on our community.